ATLANTA—October 17, 2013—GE (NYSE: GE) today launched its Smallworld Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) Calculator, enabling companies to calculate the MAOP for a line/loop of steel transmission pipelines for natural gas in a verifiable, traceable and complete method. GE’s new MAOP calculator is one of the first industry solutions to seamlessly integrate the calculation of MAOP with a pipeline company’s current geospatial information systems (GIS), simplifying the data reporting process.

The MAOP Calculator equips pipeline companies with a completely customizable solution capable of performing extensive analysis, tracking and reporting on the data available in the pipeline company’s current GIS. Its ability to link records clearly to the original design or testing information helps pipeline companies trace where the data originated. The calculator is able to identify a transmission pipe’s specific MAOP through its database of verifiable records. When MAOP data for a pipe cannot be located, the MAOP Calculator can choose the worst-case scenario to determine its maximum pressure limit. By housing complete MAOP records in an easily accessible database, the MAOP Calculator enables a pipeline manager to quickly review a pipe’s maximum operating pressure.

The Smallworld MAOP Calculator enables pipeline companies to calculate the MAOP for a line/loop in accordance with U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR 192. In addition, it provides pipeline companies with a comprehensive solution to calculate the MAOP of any defined pipeline segment according to Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) guidelines, enabling them to track MAOP calculation in a database instead of relying on a one-off analysis from a third party. This ability not only eliminates duplicate analysis for annual PHMSA reporting, it also can greatly reduce the costs incurred by a pipeline company if the PHMSA performs a MAOP audit on its records.

“When transporting gas and hazardous liquids through a company’s pipelines, it is crucial to identify the pipe’s maximum allowable operating pressure to minimize its risk of failing under excess pressure,” said Bryan Friehauf, product line leader—software solutions for GE’s Digital Energy business. “The calculator can sit on top of and plug into any Smallworld Core GIS, Smallworld Global Transmission Office or non-GE GIS databases including PODS, ESRI or Intergraph, making it an ideal addition to a pipeline company’s existing GIS.”

In addition to calculating the MAOP, GE’s new calculator provides pipeline companies with the capability to compare assessment configurations and results, track origin of line data and audit proof tracking of changes to data. It provides line data reporting capabilities out of the box, enabling users to
view full data results in band view diagrams, maps or input data tables. The calculator can provide pipeline companies with versioning of their data, which records snapshots of the design over a specified time frame. The MAOP Calculator also enables pipeline companies to edit and manipulate line data to fill missing data gaps, correct data or run what-if scenarios.

GE’s complete MAOP Calculator offering includes the MAOP software, installation and service for the software module. For more information or to schedule a live demonstration of the MAOP Calculator, please email softwaresolutions@ge.com.